A cholera outbreak in southern Sudan has led to 1,351 cases and 58 deaths, primarily in Kosti city. The crisis originates from contaminated drinking water after the water station was disabled. Government responses, including water reactivation and vaccination campaigns, are in place, but the situation is complicated by ongoing civil conflict.
The Sudanese Health Ministry announced that a cholera outbreak in southern Sudan has resulted in 1,351 cases and 58 fatalities. The situation is particularly concerning in Kosti city, located in White Nile State, where the outbreak has rapidly escalated over a span of three days. Reports indicate that poor drinking water quality, stemming from the shutdown of the main water station, is a principal factor behind this surge in cholera cases.
The ministry attributes the disruption in water supply to the attack on the Um Dabakir electricity station by the Rapid Support Forces militia. In response to the outbreak, the government has undertaken urgent measures that have helped to slow the increase in new cases. Key actions include reactivating the main water station, implementing a targeted vaccination campaign, ensuring an adequate supply of IV fluids, and expanding the isolation center’s bed capacity.
Recent updates from the Sudan Doctors Network reported an alarming figure of 1,197 cholera cases and 83 associated deaths within just two days in White Nile State. Overall, the Ministry of Health has recorded 53,735 cases and 1,430 deaths since the outbreak began in August. This health crisis exacerbates the ongoing civil conflict in Sudan, which has arisen between the army and the Rapid Support Forces since April 2023, resulting in numerous casualties and widespread displacement.
The cholera outbreak in southern Sudan presents a severe public health crisis, with major contributors identified as contaminated water supplies due to infrastructural failures. Government interventions appear to be mitigating the spread, although the situation remains dire amidst the ongoing conflict. Continued vigilance and support are necessary to manage both the cholera outbreak and the humanitarian implications of the civil strife.
Original Source: news.az
